Production Blog

Helen James Productions interviewed actor Russell Crowe about his new movie Robin Hood. He can be quite a difficult interviewee (check out Radio 4's Front Row with Mark Lawson) but Helen found him to be delightful and very funny. He explainied how Prince Andrew visited the set at Windsor Great Park, catching a burning log that Russell threw at him whilst rehearsing a stunt!

Both Russell Crowe and Mark Strong (HJP last interviewed Mark at the Sherlock Holmes premiere) also discussed how they filmed scenes at various locations in England and Wales. Helen James Productions provided special features for ITV Meridian, Central and Wales.

VisitBritain are world leaders in film tourism promotions and selected Helen James Productions as experts to spearhead their campaign to market the UK as a destination, through the movie, Robin Hood.

HJP created a special six minute Robin Hood feature which was broadcast in 35 countries, attracting visitors to Britain and boosting the UK's economy. Forty per cent of tourists visit Britain because they've seen it in a movie - hopefully HJP has inspired  more 'set jetters' to holiday here.

We also created a corporate video for VisitBritain celebrating the fact they are considered to be best in the world at movie tourism promotion.

Experience Nottinghamshire also commissioned Helen James Productions to create a web video about the Robin Hood movie and the fact visitors can see the props and costumes from the film in exhibitions at Sherwood Forest and Nottingham Castle. Helen spoke to the real Sheriff of Nottingham who claims to live up to his evil reputation - destroying little kiddies sandcastles and stealing the odd purse - but he is really very charming!

Visit Wales are delighted with their individually crafted web video too - all about how Robin Hood was filmed on Freshwater West beach, Pembrokeshire. The National Trust, who own this land and the Ashridge Estate (which doubled for Sherwood Forest) are also carrying HJP's Visit Britain feature on their website.

HJP has also produced a film for James Bond Producer, Barbara Broccoli's charity, First Light - there's more about our Second Light feature on our Independent Filmmakers Blog.

NBC Universal and Kudos Film and TV have awarded HJP the contract to produce more DVD bonus features on Law and Order:UK (ITV1) and the prestigious spy thriller, Spooks (BBC1). It follows HJP's successful delivery of the EPK and DVD bonus features for Lip Service (BBC3).

Helen James Productions will also be filming more features for New Tricks (BBC1) series 7 DVD  in June, and flying to Spain to create more special features for Any Human Heart (Channel 4/Carnival Films/NBC Universal).

Meanwhile, Isla Traquair (former Channel 5 news anchor) has been mingling with the great and the good at the Cannes Film Festival. Isla and Helen are working on a couple of big projects together - so watch this space!

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